A new generation of laborers born in or after 1980 has swelled to dominate the ranks of China's 221 million migrant workers, the National Population and Family Planning Commission said in a report released yesterday, the People's Daily reported.

The ever-expanding new generation now accounts for 47 percent of all migrant workers, the report says, and is substantially more educated than in the past, with 9.8 years of schooling on average.

But they continue to face a number of daunting challenges. Their average monthly income of 1660 yuan is barely enough to meet their average monthly living expenses of 1441 yuan.

They have to work at least 6 days per week, 10 hours a day. Moreover, most find themselves removed from the rural social security system in their hometowns and ineligible for benefits in the cities where they work.

According to the report, 52 percent of employed migrants did not take part in any social security insurance.